Estate Planning Issues Families Notice After the Holidays
The holidays bring families together and sometimes, they reveal things we’d rather not think about.
An aging parent seems more forgetful.
A relative mentions confusion about a will.
A blended family dynamic feels more complicated than expected.
For many people, the end of the year isn’t the time to fix everything, but it is the time when estate planning concerns come into focus.
At Holt Legacy Law, January is one of our busiest months because families leave the holidays realizing there are things they don’t want to put off anymore.
“We Never Talked About This Before”
The holidays often surface questions no one has answered:
Who would handle things if a parent became incapacitated?
Does anyone actually know where the will is?
Are beneficiary designations up to date?
Would family members agree, or argue, if something happened?
Estate planning problems usually don’t start with legal documents. They start with silence.
Common Estate Planning Issues That Come Up This Time of Year
After family gatherings, we often hear concerns like:
“My parents don’t have Powers of Attorney.”
“My will doesn’t reflect my current family.”
“My adult children don’t get along.”
“We assumed things would be simple, but now I’m not sure.”
“I don’t want my kids dealing with court.”
These aren’t emergencies, but they are important signals that planning deserves attention.
Why January Is Actually the Right Time to Plan
December is about surviving schedules, travel, and obligations. January is different.
January brings:
Clearer calendars
A desire to start the year organized
Motivation to handle things that were put off
Less emotional pressure than during the holidays
Estate planning doesn’t have to happen before the end of the year to be effective. In fact, thoughtful planning often works best when it isn’t rushed.
Estate Planning Is About People, Not Paperwork
Many people delay planning because they think it’s only about documents.
In reality, estate planning is about:
Avoiding family conflict
Making things easier for the people you love
Ensuring someone you trust can step in if needed
Preventing court involvement during already stressful times
The holidays remind us who we care about. Estate planning helps protect those relationships.
A Gentle Question to Ask Yourself
After this holiday season, ask yourself:
“If something unexpected happened next month, would my family know what to do?”
If the answer is “I’m not sure,” that’s not a failure, it’s a reason to plan.
How Holt Legacy Law Helps
At Holt Legacy Law, we help Maryland families take clear, manageable steps toward peace of mind.
We focus on:
Wills and trusts tailored to your family
Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives
Guardianship planning for children
Planning that reflects real family dynamics, not assumptions
No pressure. No rush. Just thoughtful planning done right.
Looking Ahead
You don’t need to solve everything before the calendar flips.
But if the holidays brought up questions you can’t ignore, January is a great time to start.
Prefer to speak with someone directly? Call us at (410) 864-6395. We’re happy to help.
